Ducati battery boiling over!

[Dukie]

I have a 2000, ducati monster and it seems to boil my battery, i have a radar detector hooked up to the battery but even before i hooked it up it still boiled over so that can't be it. it will start during the day if i head to work ect but in the mornings it will never start. dead battery...

anybody have any idea's where i should start looking? i have replaced a battery and it didn't solve the problem it came back after awhile!

[Katman]

Stick a voltmeter on the battery with the engine running.

If it reads much more than 14 volts replace your voltage regulator.

[Dukie]

alrite, ill go buy a multi meater and check it out! thanks

[paturoa]

Stick a voltmeter on the battery with the engine running.

If it reads more than 14 volts replace your voltage regulator.

Don't know about ducs regulators, but the standard zook regulators will sit at 14.3v with the engine running.

So yes but I'd more be looking at or above 14.5 volts.

EDIT: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lead_acid_batteries#Voltages_for_common_usages

[Akzle]

14.8 is max voltage. this should be from 1/5th revs through to red line.
14.4 is a good number.

this is due to cell capacity in batteries, you should always be charging over-voltage. ie 24v batteries get charged at ~27v

more draw against the battery (radar) shouldn't matter, as "boiling" is caused by overvoltage going in
the only problem would be if your radar drew current when bike was off, dropping your volts down, and then regulator is putting too much current back when you start it - you'd pick this by harder/sluggish starting.

but yes. a multimeter (the 20$ from supercheap) are a good addition to every toolbox. the 300$ ones from jaycar are cool, too.
when buying look for one with 20A DC range (standard/ cheap-cheapos only 10A)

[spanner spinner]

your reg/rec's on it's way out, as per earier posts get a multimeter and check the charge voltage just to confirm but the only reason modern batterys boil over is if they are being overcharged.

[Dukie]

ok well, i just brought a multi meater and tested the battery im not quite sure how to work it but i got a reading of 13.6 with DCV 12.7 when everything is off.

[Madness]

Was the 13.6v at idle or at road-going rpm?

[Dukie]

13.6 at idle.

[Taz]

You need to get the revs up to 4 or 5k while watching the multimeter readout.

[Dukie]

Don't have a RPM Gauge :/ i can take a guess tho

[Akzle]

Don't have a RPM Gauge :/ i can take a guess tho
do that.
13.6 is an acceptable charging voltage, and that may actually be all your battery is getting with your 'lectrics running. i'd still aim for higher though, but your reg. output is only going to be so much, so without stepping up that, it's a matter or removing electrical things.
although if it's 13.6 at idle i'd suspect it will pick up to 14+ when rolling.
IF: it goes OVER 14.8 for more than a few moments THEN: new reg.

[Dukie]

Rito mate, Ill check it out tomorow after work and tell ya whats going on!